Printed in the Ann Arbor News, Written by The Associated Press
Friday, February 16, 2001
DEARBORN - For the second time in a week, a group of Ford Motor Co. workers is suing the company over its employee evaluation system.
A suit filed Thursday in federal court in Detroit on behalf of three managers alleges Ford and its chief executive officer of trying to weed out older white male workers, according to a published report.
The company uses negative job reviews to replace the older white men with minorities, women and younger workers, the suit alleges. It seeks more then $1 million in damages.
"Ford has changed the rules on my clients after 25 years of service," said lawyer James Fett, who represents the three managers. "It used to be merit-based promotions and now it's diversity-based. It's unethical and it's illegal."
But Ford spokesman Edward Miller said the automaker evaluates workers based on their performance.
"It is a fair and inclusive system," he said.
On Tuesday, nine white collar workers filed an age discrimination lawsuit against Ford, alleging the automaker is using its grading scale to systematically weed out older workers. They want the Wayne County Circuit Court to prohibit further use of the system.
At issue is Ford's evaluation policy for its top 18,000 managers and executives. The policy, instituted in January 2000, says that 10 percent of employees receive A grades, 80 percent get Bs and 10 percent receive Cs. The policy was altered this year so that only 5 percent of employees must receive C grades.
Those who receive Cs are ineligible for a raise or bonus and a C grade for two consecutive years is grounds for demotion or termination.
Miller said age is irrelevant in the evaluation process. He said Ford is trying "to create an inclusive work force by bringing in people of difference races, ethnic backgrounds, genders and so on."
